IF you fancy a life on the ocean wave the first place you should head is out on to the web.

For a taste of what it's all about, visit the magazine site www.tallship.co.uk.

It's a well-designed site, with lots to offer.

Their photo gallery, with background information on a variety of these beauties, is worth the trip ashore itself. And just looking at them can get you hooked.

If you start to feel your pulse racing, visit www.tallships2002.co.uk to find out about the Cutty Sark tall ship races.

If you really want to be a deck hand, then get to www.cutty-sark.co.uk/races for opportunities to join the crew!

They say no experience is necessary and August is a key month, if you do sign on as crew, email us so we can share the experience.

Eighty of the beauties from around the globe will be racing into port and there is a full program for land lovers too. A great way to get your sea legs.

If you want hands-on experience on a tall ship, visit www.sta.org.uk. They offer tall ship sailing adventures for young people.

If seeing it just whets your appetite, perhaps www.tallshipstrading.co.uk may have just the trinket for you to pluck from their online treasure chest.

They have a sea of choices from furniture, to models to prints. Your house could soon be your ship on shore!